Rolexes becoming magnetised.
Discussion
Variomatic said:
mikeveal said:
Assuming your safe is iron, or a similar material with a high permeability, there can be no magnetic field from outside your safe can penetrate to the inside. The safe can not become magnetised to introduce a magnetic field insider the safe.
It's a Faraday cage for magnetism, easier to explain with electricity...
All true if the safe is a simple iron (or similar) box construction. But they're often not. It's a Faraday cage for magnetism, easier to explain with electricity...
The lining may or may not be magnetically continuous across all 6 internal faces (in fact, the door lining often won't be) and things like shelves introduce further isolated parts. So, while the outer shell will form a cage, the internal bits may not.
Like I said in the last post, it's an outside chance but worth checking if there's no other explanation.
How long have you had the watch? My seadweller wasn't a good time keeper. One day I got some moisture behind the glass as the winder "O" ring had perished, had been swimming), so had it serviced for the first time in about 15 odd years.
Last time I altered the time was about two weeks, just checked against my radio clock, spot on.
It does vary some weeks by a few seconds but not much, but as I said, it's spot on at the moment.
Last time I altered the time was about two weeks, just checked against my radio clock, spot on.
It does vary some weeks by a few seconds but not much, but as I said, it's spot on at the moment.
Vipers said:
How long have you had the watch? My seadweller wasn't a good time keeper. One day I got some moisture behind the glass as the winder "O" ring had perished, had been swimming), so had it serviced for the first time in about 15 odd years.
Last time I altered the time was about two weeks, just checked against my radio clock, spot on.
It does vary some weeks by a few seconds but not much, but as I said, it's spot on at the moment.
It's had about 3 months use from new.Last time I altered the time was about two weeks, just checked against my radio clock, spot on.
It does vary some weeks by a few seconds but not much, but as I said, it's spot on at the moment.
Variomatic said:
All true if the safe is a simple iron (or similar) box construction. But they're often not.
The lining may or may not be magnetically continuous across all 6 internal faces (in fact, the door lining often won't be) and things like shelves introduce further isolated parts. So, while the outer shell will form a cage, the internal bits may not.
Like I said in the last post, it's an outside chance but worth checking if there's no other explanation.
Joe's right. Needs all six sides to be a low permeability material (e.g. iron). Then no external field can get in, and magnetising the safe itself has no effect on items inside. Internal shelves have no effect. The lining may or may not be magnetically continuous across all 6 internal faces (in fact, the door lining often won't be) and things like shelves introduce further isolated parts. So, while the outer shell will form a cage, the internal bits may not.
Like I said in the last post, it's an outside chance but worth checking if there's no other explanation.
Place a magnet inside and all bets are off.
mikeveal said:
Joe's right. Needs all six sides to be a low permeability material (e.g. iron). Then no external field can get in, and magnetising the safe itself has no effect on items inside. Internal shelves have no effect.
Place a magnet inside and all bets are off.
No magnets inside as far as I am aware. But as I posted earlier in the thread, the catch on my watch box was VERY magnetic. There was no reason for it to be that way because it's a mechanical catch. It wouldn't de-magnetise either.Place a magnet inside and all bets are off.
An update on this.
I have been storing my watches in a wooden cabinet away from the metal safe. I have worn only two of them. Both of those I have worn have become slightly magnetised, the others are fine.
So it must be something I am coming into contact with daily. I am still suspicious of my laptop...
I have been storing my watches in a wooden cabinet away from the metal safe. I have worn only two of them. Both of those I have worn have become slightly magnetised, the others are fine.
So it must be something I am coming into contact with daily. I am still suspicious of my laptop...
Does seem odd, are they fairly new watches?
As a Rolex after 2005 with the Parachrom hairspring is unaffected by magnetic fields and up to 10x more shock resistant
I've had various models since '96, never 'babied' them and never had an issue, it must be something you're doing, or environment that's causing the problems.
As a Rolex after 2005 with the Parachrom hairspring is unaffected by magnetic fields and up to 10x more shock resistant
I've had various models since '96, never 'babied' them and never had an issue, it must be something you're doing, or environment that's causing the problems.
bobbybee said:
Does seem odd, are they fairly new watches?
As a Rolex after 2005 with the Parachrom hairspring is unaffected by magnetic fields and up to 10x more shock resistant
I've had various models since '96, never 'babied' them and never had an issue, it must be something you're doing, or environment that's causing the problems.
I have no doubt it is something I am subjecting them to. I just don't know what. I don't knowingly allow them near great big magnets.As a Rolex after 2005 with the Parachrom hairspring is unaffected by magnetic fields and up to 10x more shock resistant
I've had various models since '96, never 'babied' them and never had an issue, it must be something you're doing, or environment that's causing the problems.
13m said:
I don't knowingly allow them near great big magnets.
Apart from your own personality, of course 
Seriously, about the only thing you can do - apart from walking round everywhere with a magnetometer - is try to keep ruling activities / places out. Try carrying one of the "problem" ones around in your pocket for a day or two. If it doesn't magnetise then you know it's likely to be something your hands are interacting with rather than just something in a room with you.
Variomatic said:
13m said:
I don't knowingly allow them near great big magnets.
Apart from your own personality, of course Seriously, about the only thing you can do - apart from walking round everywhere with a magnetometer - is try to keep ruling activities / places out. Try carrying one of the "problem" ones around in your pocket for a day or two. If it doesn't magnetise then you know it's likely to be something your hands are interacting with rather than just something in a room with you.
Bit of an update on this.
I have started storing the watches in an aluminium box in a non-magnetic safe. I am wearing only half the watches.
The half that I am wearing are becoming magnetised, the others aren't. So the problem is occurring when I wear them.
I also note that the watches are becoming magnetised but not necessarily gaining time. This suggests that the magnetisation is not always significant. Other times the watches start to mess about. I tested one yesterday and it was magnetised but keeping good time.
I am starting to wonder whether there is what I'd call "cumulative magnetism" going on. I.e. the watches are becoming a little magnetised a number of times until they start to gain time.
I still suspect my laptop. It clearly emits a decent magnetic field, but bringing an automatic watch into close proximity with it four or five times doesn't magnetise it. Over a few hundred exposures maybe it is causing the problem.
I have found elsewhere on the Internet an account of someone else with (as I recall) as Rolex Sea Dweller who was experiencing cumulative magnetism from his laptops.
Thoughts anyone?
I have started storing the watches in an aluminium box in a non-magnetic safe. I am wearing only half the watches.
The half that I am wearing are becoming magnetised, the others aren't. So the problem is occurring when I wear them.
I also note that the watches are becoming magnetised but not necessarily gaining time. This suggests that the magnetisation is not always significant. Other times the watches start to mess about. I tested one yesterday and it was magnetised but keeping good time.
I am starting to wonder whether there is what I'd call "cumulative magnetism" going on. I.e. the watches are becoming a little magnetised a number of times until they start to gain time.
I still suspect my laptop. It clearly emits a decent magnetic field, but bringing an automatic watch into close proximity with it four or five times doesn't magnetise it. Over a few hundred exposures maybe it is causing the problem.
I have found elsewhere on the Internet an account of someone else with (as I recall) as Rolex Sea Dweller who was experiencing cumulative magnetism from his laptops.
Thoughts anyone?
PJ S said:
Have a look at the app from Lepsi.ch, for the iPhone (Android too?) – see if it helps detect where on the laptop the field is located.
I use Windows Phone.However a compass suggests a magnetic field to the left of the laptop, which is where my wrist rests.
If this IS what's going on, it is counter to the conventional wisdom that only really powerful magnets will magnetise watches.
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